Netanyahu announces sending Israeli representative for meeting with officials in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that he will send a representative for a meeting with political and economic officials in Lebanon, calling it "the first attempt to establish a foundation for relations and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon."

Netanyahu "has tasked the acting head of the National Security Council to send a representative on his behalf to a meeting with government and economic officials in Lebanon," according to a statement from his office.

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The statement did not specify when the meeting would take place. The announcement comes after a visit to Jerusalem by U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus, amid rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

The Israeli army stepped up strikes on southern Lebanon last week, targeting what it described as Hezbollah members or infrastructure, accusing the party of violating the cease-fire that came into effect just over a year ago by attempting to regroup and rearm in southern Lebanon.

In recent weeks, the Israeli press has published a string of articles about the possible imminence of a new Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.